1. WORKSHOP ON CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS ISSUES SURROUNDING GMO’S
WINDHOEK – 18TH TO 19TH AUGUST 2016
FARMERS PERSPECTIVE
FEEDING THE NATION
By George B. Rhodes

2. More information required!!
Why making GM crops ?
Who produces these crops ?
Where are these crops grown ?
What are the potential benefits ?
Are these crops appropriate for developing countries ?
What are the potential risk of these plants ?
Are there any reasons to avoid these products ?
How can we make use of this technology ?
What mechanisms is in place to ensure a proper Regulatory framework ?

3. Concerns !!!
Does this really contribute to feeding the world or simply benefit the developers of these varieties
What happen to local varieties – in particular small scale farmers who depends on farmer saved seed who cannot afford it
Generating superior plant varieties – does it really expands the possibilities beyond the limits imposed by conventional plant breeding
Is the cross breeding between the same or very closely related species being regulated ?

4. POTENTIAL RISKS – Clarity needed
Concerns
POTENTIAL RISKS – Clarity needed
Unintentional introduction of allergens
transgenes escaping from cultivated crops to wild relatives
potential for pest to evolve resistance to toxins produced by GM crops
risk of these toxins affecting non-target organisms
wholesomeness and health status – does it leave material inside the human and animal body – organ damage – what about pregnant woman
Can the contamination (if any) be reversed – permanent

5. Concerns !!!!
GMO’s cross pollinate and seeds can travel can - we clean up our contaminated gene pool – huge losses for organic and non-GM farmers
Increase in herbicide use – Round up ready crops, designed to survive applications of Round up herbicide
Does Genetic engineering creates dangerous side effects – mixing genes from unrelated species – unpredictable side affects – new toxins, allergens etc
Industry – Funded Research designed to avoid finding problems and how it being distorted or denied “tobacco science”
Independent research and reporting is attacked and suppressed

6. Concerns!!
Is this technology safe for the environment – birds, insects marine ecosystems, soil organisms
Does it really increase yields – feeding more people in developing countries
GM food cited as economical, despite initial higher cost of the seed – reduce the need for pesticides and herbicides – reducing manpower needed to grow these crops- improved financial gains
Improved quality ! Longer shelve life – ability to withstand weather fluctuations – still yields and quality
High content of a specific nutrient – Vitamin A rich golden Rice

7. SUMMARY !!!!
Ability to trigger an allergy in humans – genes mixed across different species
Damaged to Biodiversity – extinction of certain organisms
GM foods are modified using bacteria and viruses – emerging of new diseases
Lack of Scientific studies on the long term health impact
Concept of “SUNSTANCIAL EQUIVALENCE” debatable
Finally why still having overwhelming opposition to Field Trials of GM crops in many countries
Any of these gene-edited crops slipping through Regulatory Net??

8. I THANK YOU